BRIER ISLAND

Brier Island is a rugged diamond in Nova Scotia's crown, home to an industrious seafaring people, an amazing variety of flora and fauna and some of the best sunsets you will ever see!

Marking the entrance of the world famous Bay of Fundy, Brier Island provides visitors the opportunity to explore one of the richest marine habitats and coastal environments in the world.

Accessible by two short ferry rides from the end of Digby Neck, Brier Island offers a truly different pace of life for residents and visitors alike. The fishing boats still come and go as they have done for generations, the whales swim by as they have done since time immemorial and the eternal tides rise and fall like clockwork, the biggest tides in the world!

For those who are looking to escape from the hustle and bustle, it doesn't matter if you visit Brier Island in warm sunshine or cloaked in mysterious fog - you can't help but relax and slow down.

The first man to sail alone around the world, Joshua Slocum lived here. Visit his monument overlooking Grand Passage just outside the village...

As Nova Scotia's eco-tourism destination, Brier Island is famous for its whale watching, bird watching and coastal hiking. Reconnecting with Nature is very easy to do here; explore the miles of trails that crisscross the island, see a coastal marine ecosystem in action at Pond Cove Beach or watch the seals sun themselves on the rocks at Seal Cove. Rock hounds can find quartz, agate, jasper, amethyst and even zeolite along our rocky shores. Being on the Atlantic Flyway Migratory Route, the area hosts hundreds of varieties of birds throughout the year.

(Amy Tudor) 

ACCOMMODATIONS

HARBOUR VIEW HOME.  Welcome to our Brier Island home with a spectacular panoramic view of Grand Passage at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy. Watch the rise and fall of the highest tides in the world from your private deck 

BRIER ISLAND LODGE.  Brier Island Lodge, perched atop the cliffs of Brier Island and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, offers you comfortable, oceanfront accommodations along with a unique Nova Scotia regional dining experience and whale watching tours. 

MILLION DOLLAR VIEW!  This house was the first house built on Brier Island and is 250 years old.   The ocean views (waterfront) are visible from nearly everywhere in the house with giant glass insulated glass windows with a massive ocean facing deck.  

"PRIDE OF BRIER ISLAND".  Outside the views are breathtaking. Inside it is rustic and welcoming...

"THE APARTMENTS".  The upper apartment is fully furnished with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, kitchenette and living/dining space. 

PARADISE ON BRIER!  Are you a Nature lover? Then this is the island for you. From Nature trails all around the island, to bird watching (there is also a bird banding station), to seal observing and, of course, to whale watching (guaranteed to see whales), this is it! 

 BAY OF FUNDY INN.   A restored historical home in Westport on Brier Island. Watch the ferry cross the passage from our waterview LR, relax after a nature hike, take a whale watch tour on our special pkg. rate and dream of the seaside in one of 4 cozy rooms. ( 2 Shared bathrooms).  watching and beautiful empty trails are found everywhere.  

 BAY OF FUNDY GUESTHOUSE.  Large home in community of Westport on beautiful Brier Island. Close to general store, gift shops, restaurants, whale watching cruises, hiking trails, lighthouses, beaches and the world famous Bay of Fundy tides. Features include deck with BBQ, fully equipped kitchen, living room, 4 pc. bath, 4 bedrooms.  

 DOCK AND DOZE.  Brier Island's motel style accommodation adjacent to the ferry dock, offering 2 double units and 1 full apartment size unit, all with an ocean view!  

************************************************************

WHALE WATCHING

MARINER WHALE & SEABIRD TOURS.  Mariner Cruises has been offering Nova Scotia whale watching and birding tours off Brier Island since 1994.   Finback whales, minke whales and harbour porpoises are the first to arrive in the spring. In June, the humpbacks begin to return; by late June they are abundant, and Atlantic white-sided dolphins are often seen. 

 Brier Island Whale and Seabird Cruises.   As well as being a thrilling adventure, our whale watching cruises yield important information on endangered or rare species of whales like the Humpback, Finback and Right Whales, and on other species of Cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and on seabirds. A portion of whale watch sales is contributed to our research. 

************************************************************

GALLERIES & GIFTS

THE ICE HOUSE GIFT SHOP is home to items distinctive of the Maritimes as well as ones unique to Brier Island. We have a variety of island-themed clothing including shirts, hoodies, hats and pullovers.

Our comprehensive collection of books by local authors includes cookbooks and children's books. Arts and crafts can also be found such as metalwork and wood carvings of objects familiar to island life.

************************************************************

RESTAURANTS

BRIER ISLAND LODGE.  

Enjoy the spectacular panoramic waterfront view from our dining room as you enjoy the regional dishes of Brier Island. All of our seafood is purchased locally, so you are assured of the freshest, finest seafood available. Traditional dishes are also served. 

FAIR WINDS CAFE

Located in the former Lighthouse Café, which opened in 2005. Opening May 3 2019. Hours will be updated soon. 

******************************************************************

HIKES/WALKS

BRIER ISLAND TRAIL.  The Brier Island Coastal Trail crosses 4 km of gently rolling seaside meadows and wide open beach within the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Brier Island Nature Reserve.  Photos courtesy of Gemma Taylor, 'Off Track Travel"